Accommodation

Budget Solo Travelers ($20-50): There are places to camp in Illinois near state parks and nature preserves, typically starting around $20 per site, per night. Find a full list of campgrounds at Illinois State Parks here. In some cities, you can also find cheap options on Airbnb or at motels and inns.

Mid-range Solo Travelers ($50 and up): Once you pass the $50/night mark, your options increase greatly for accommodation in Illinois. For a private room with a bathroom, expect to pay between $50-100/night. On Airbnb, you can also find entire places for around $50-70, depending on where in the state you are. Accommodations are typically more expensive the closer you get to Chicago.

Transportation

Getting there: The largest airport in Illinois is O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, which has direct flights to 155 US cities. Amtrak also operates in Illinois, with trips between Chicago and St. Louis and other destinations. The entire trip between Chicago and St. Louis, which traverses most of Illinois, only costs $31. There are also Greyhound buses available for about the same price with more destinations available.

Getting around: The best way to get around Illinois is to rent a car, as public buses and trains don't reach all destinations. Check out Discover Cars to find rentals.

Food

Grocery Shop & Cook Your Own Food ($7 - $12): You can buy your own groceries at the local supermarkets and farmers markets and cook your own meals to save money. If you are doing a road trip through Illinois, try to get a campervan that comes with cooking utilities, so that you can buy your groceries and cook your own food. A week’s worth of groceries costs about $90 - $120 at the smaller grocers.

Local Restaurants & Bars ($10 - 17): Meals at restaurants increase in price the closer you get to Chicago, but you can find small eateries with very affordable plates throughout Illinois. In cities, you can find a melting pot of international cuisine from almost anywhere in the world. When you venture out to smaller towns, you'll find dishes that are specific to Illinois and the Midwest, like the horseshoe (texas toast with ground beef and melted cheese), huge pork tenderloins (very thin pork chops battered and fried on a bun), and Italian beef sandwiches.

Things to Do

Visit Chicago: Illinois' largest city, and perhaps the most exciting place in the state. There's tons to do in Chicago alone, although it's definitely worth it to explore outside of the city.

Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette: This is one of the only buildings of its kind and is truly a beautiful sight. You can go inside and observe the architecture, or even take a moment to meditate in its serene environment.

Check out historic Galena: This charming town has tons of cute shops and restaurants, with a great selection of pottery and antiques.

See the state capitol in Springfield: One of Illinois' larger cities, Springfield is packed with museums and monuments, so it's perfect for history buffs.

Hike to the Garden of the Gods: In the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois lies the Garden of the Gods, an area with neat rock formations and beautiful forest views.

Spend time at Starved Rock & Mattheissen State Park: Find waterfalls, canyons, caves, and miles of hiking trails at this small yet action-packed park.

Go to the beach: Illinois has beaches along Lake Michigan that are great to visit in the summertime. In Chicago some of the best ones are Montrose Beach, Oak Street Beach, and Hollywood Beach. You can also visit Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park which is more outdoorsy than the city beaches.

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